Remembering Blue Devil Edward Kusek

Central Connecticut alumnus and CCSU Alumni Association Athletic
Hall of Fame member Edward J. Kusek passed away on Sunday, November
25. He was 84. Kusek earned eight varsity letters while
participating in football and track and field. He also earned
the Gladstone Memorial Award, the top honor for a male CCSU
student-athlete.

Following his time at the Teachers College of Connecticut, Kusek
entered into military service and completed Officer Candidate
School. He served as a 1st Lieutenant during the Korean
Conflict and earned a Korean Service Medal and two Bronze Stars for
his service.

“It is always a sad day when we lose a member of our Blue
Devil athletics family. Ed was a special man who touched the
lives of so many in meaningful ways,” said Director of
Athletics Paul Schlickmann. “Ed was a Central Hall of
Famer and we covet him and his memory for that
accomplishment. More importantly, He was a hall of famer in
life as a devoted father and husband, a decorated veteran and
professional educator who mentored countless young men and women
throughout his long career in the Connecticut school system.
He gave generously of his time to others and certainly to two of
his passions, Central Connecticut and Blue Devil Athletics.
We are grateful for having known Ed and express our heartfelt
sympathies to his family and loved ones at this difficult
time. Ed will be missed but never forgotten.”

From the New Britain Herald, Edward J. Kusek’s
obituary:

Edward J. Kusek, 84, passed away in New Britain on Sunday the
25th of November after a 10-year struggle with cancer.

Born on June 17th 1928 in Southington Conn., Ed was the son of
the late Michael and Mary (Kania) Kusek . He attended Lewis High
School and graduated in 1946. He then enrolled at the Teachers
College of Connecticut and graduated with honors. While at Central,
Ed played Varsity track and football, serving as a four-year
starter and All-Star, receiving the Gladstone Memorial Award and
eight varsity letters.

Ed entered into military service in 1950 and attended the
Officers Candidate School, serving as a commander of the Combat
Engineers Battalion during the Korean Conflict, building bridges,
roads and helicopter pads as a 1st Lieutenant. For his valiant
service to our country, he was decorated with the Korean Service
Medal and two Bronze Stars.

Ed married Helen Kowaleski in 1955 and began to raise a family
and started a career in education that lasted 36 years. He taught
Industrial Arts in the Middletown and Hartford school systems and
eventually became Vice Principal of Bulkeley High School in
Hartford, after receiving his Master's Degree from Central
Connecticut State Teachers College. Kusek also worked with Special
Education students while serving in Hartford.

Ed was an avid golfer, gardener and woodworker; decorating his
home and the homes of many of his friends with unique furniture and
crafts. His property was visited by a local gardening club as a
showcase of Central Connecticut. In 2004, Ed Kusek was inducted
into the CCSU Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ed is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen; his son David and
daughter-in -law Lindsay of Cohasset, MA.; his son Mark of
Stratford, CT.; his three grandchildren: Sam, Mike and Xuan and his
sister Virginia Hill. He was predeceased by his brother Robert.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CCSU Foundation
Inc., ‘In Memory of Ed Kusek,’ P.O. Box 612, New
Britain, CT 06050.

A memorial service will be held on Friday Nov. 30, 2012 at 11:00
a.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville.
Burial with full military honors will follow in Holy Trinity
Cemetery, Plantsville. Calling hours will be held on Thursday Nov.
29, 2012 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home. For
online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.